A percussive celebration for Manatee Teacher of the Year

Music teacher Zadda Bazzy praised for energetic approach and use of feedback

By KATY BERGEN

In the end, Oneco Elementary School music teacher Zadda Bazzy didn't need anyone to voice why she deserved to win Manatee County's Educator of the Year award.

The Junk Jammers did it a different way: The Oneco Elementary percussion group, made up of fourth and fifth graders, banged out a rhythm on muffin pans, overturned buckets and cooking pots, escalating to an improvised finale that sparked cheers from a crowd that had gathered for the award ceremony Wednesday night at Manatee Technical Institute.

Bazzy earned a spot in the state Teacher of the Year competition, along with a brand-new Toyota Prius.

“I've wanted a Prius literally since 2004,” Bazzy said to some chuckles. “Nine years. This is no joke, folks.”

An energetic teacher with a love of music, Bazzy put her hands up in victory when she won and pointed to a large, vocal fan club of her colleagues and students.

After the ceremony, her co-workers praised her ability to engage students by incorporating different instruments and activities into her classroom. She's also known for a commitment to giving consistent feedback, something Oneco Principal Tina Stancil said has made a big difference in the classroom.

“Kids welcome her feedback — I think that makes her a dynamic teacher,” Stancil said in a video montage played before the announcement.

Colleague Christy Isaacs came out to support Bazzy and cheered with other teachers after the announcement.

“She is absolutely the best music teacher we have in this county,” said Isaacs, who is a music teacher herself at Palm View. “She teaches her students to create music. They can improvise, and they keep getting better and better.”

‘Their big buddy'

The EdVantage Education Awards, in their second year after a decade-long lull, honor one educator and one support employee chosen from 24 nominated finalists. Four teacher finalists and four support-employee finalists were also honored Wednesday before winners were announced.

Todd Persinger, head custodian at Anna Maria Elementary, was the support-employee winner. He was honored with a $5,000 savings account from the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, and also moves on to the state competition.

Persinger worked 12 years at Palma Sola Elementary, and is known to dress up for holidays and special occasions.

He played “Zero the Hero” this year for Anna Maria's character education program, donning a pink sparkly wig, white sunglasses and a red and white superhero costume with a “O” emblazoned across the chest to represent a book character.

Persinger said he felt fortunate to be able to mentor students.

“I feel like I'm their big buddy when I'm in school,” he said. “And they can come to me with their problems.”

Both Bazzy and Persinger accepted their awards from incoming Superintendent Rick Mills, who flew in from Minneapolis to attend the ceremony and meet with board members later this week.

Mills spoke briefly about a teacher that had changed his life in high school.

“I know the support and encouragement of this person was critical on my path to success,” Mills said.

Bazzy and Persinger also walked home Wednesday with prizes that included Ipads, all-expense-paid trips to a Pirates game in Pittsburgh and scholarships to Keiser University and Nova Southeastern University.

After the ceremony, Bazzy ran to her new Prius.

“Can I get you to take a picture in the car?” a friend asked her.

“You can get me to do anything you want right now,” Bazzy replied happily. Then she dashed over to the silver car and hopped in.